Braces or clear aligners? See your options clearly — then get matched, free, with a licensed orthodontist.
Plain-language help for families and adults: how each option moves teeth, what it really costs, how long it takes, and a free way to find a licensed orthodontist near you — in your language.
AlignLoom is a free matching service, not a dentist or orthodontist. You compare and choose who to see.
Four ways teeth get straightened
How they work, who they tend to suit, and roughly what they cost. Only a licensed orthodontist can say what's right for you after an exam.
Metal braces
- How it works
- Brackets and wires fixed to teeth, adjusted over time
- Tends to suit
- Most cases, all ages, tighter budgets
Ceramic braces
- How it works
- Tooth-colored brackets that blend in, fixed to teeth
- Tends to suit
- People who want braces to show less
Clear aligners
- How it works
- Removable clear trays you change on a schedule
- Tends to suit
- Disciplined teens and adults, milder to moderate cases
Retainers
- How it works
- Holds teeth in place after treatment is finished
- Tends to suit
- Everyone, after braces or aligners
What the months usually look like
A typical path from first visit to retainer. Your real timeline depends on your case and is set by your orthodontist.
- 1
Consultation
An exam, photos or scans, and a treatment plan with options and costs in writing.
- 2
Start
Braces are placed, or your first aligners are fitted, and you learn the daily care.
- 3
Active treatment
Regular check-ins or new aligners as teeth move into place over the months.
- 4
Retention
Treatment ends and a retainer holds the new position. Wearing it matters.
What treatment typically costs
Real numbers depend on your case, your area, and your insurance. These are typical ranges, not quotes.
| Treatment | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Metal braces | $3,000 – $7,000 | Often the most affordable full treatment |
| Ceramic braces | $4,000 – $8,000 | A little more than metal for the look |
| Clear aligners | $3,000 – $8,000 | Varies most with case complexity |
| Retainers | $100 – $500 | Per set, often after treatment |
These are typical US ranges and estimates only — not quotes or guarantees. Only a licensed orthodontist can price your treatment after an in-person exam, and insurance, FSA/HSA, and payment plans can change what you pay.
It's different at every age — and it's never too late
What to expect for a child, a teenager, or an adult considering treatment.
Kids & teens
An early exam (often around age 7) can spot issues sooner, but it rarely means braces right away. Many kids start in the teen years once enough adult teeth are in.
Braces & early treatment for kids →Adults
Healthy teeth can move at any age. Adults often prefer discreet options and want treatment to fit around work and life. Cost and insurance work a little differently.
Orthodontics for adults →How AlignLoom works
Four clear steps — and you stay in control the whole way.
Tell us a little
Who needs treatment, your area, and how to reach you. Contact details only — never medical history or records.
Get matched, free
We connect you with licensed orthodontists near you, at no cost to you.
Have your consultation
Get an exam and a treatment plan with options and a price in writing. Ask the questions that matter.
You choose
You decide who to see and whether to start. Nothing is decided for you.
Plain-language guides
The honest basics on braces, aligners, cost, insurance, and choosing an orthodontist.
Free for you, flat fee for orthodontists
AlignLoom is always free for families. Participating orthodontists pay a flat matching fee — we never take a cut of your treatment, and we never sell you care.
Contact details only — not medical advice
We collect only what's needed to connect you — contact details, not medical history. Nothing here is medical advice; only a licensed orthodontist can advise you after an exam.
Ready to talk to a licensed orthodontist?
Get matched, free, with a licensed orthodontist near you. You compare and choose who to see — and you confirm the plan and price in writing before you start. AlignLoom is a free matching service, not a dental or orthodontic provider.